Santa Fe Train Depot Fort Madison Iowa Historical Train Depot photograph, photo print

Details

Historic Santa Fe Train Depot located at Fort Madison Iowa is still operational today, step into the past when traveling to or from this iconic location. Available on Canvas Acrylic and photo print, in a variety of sizes and options. (Slight cropping on 30x40 see second photo.)

The historic Santa Fe depot is part of a complex that also includes a former Railway Express Agency (REA) building and freight office. Situated between Avenue H and Riverview Park bordering the Mississippi River, the three historic structures are stylistically similar, but were built over the span of 25 years. The combined freight and passenger depot opened in 1910 to replace an earlier wooden structure from 1888.

By the dawn of the 20th century, Fort Madison was an important division and crew change point on Santa Fe routes headed to the Southwest and California, and the town also had a locomotive repair shop and other facilities. Therefore, the railroad decided to construct a more permanent brick passenger building.

The Santa Fe had also become adept at using architecture and design to promote itself—many of the western routes were actively marketed to a new upper middle class with discretionary income to spend on travel. Western locales were cast in an exotic light to attract tourists, with advertisements highlighting ancient American Indian cultures in New Mexico and the Spanish colonial missions of California.

Reinforcing this association between the railroad and the West, the Santa Fe constructed depots whose designs referenced Spanish colonial and American Indian buildings. Common architectural elements included arcades, exposed rafters cut in decorative profiles, towers that resembled campaniles, and remates (curvilinear gables). Materials employed included stucco, concrete—which resembled adobe—tejas (red clay roof tiles), and fanciful metal and tile work.

Fort Madison was the only Santa Fe passenger stop in Iowa, so the $14,000 depot was meant to be a showpiece. Designed by Santa Fe Chief Engineer C.F. Morse, the dark red brick station was based on the railroad’s standardized design known as the “county seat” model, meant for a town of considerable size. Although the basic form and layout were predetermined, the detailing could be adjusted to provide a regional flavor. The Fort Madison depot features trim executed in local Appanoose stone, such as a water table, sills, lintels and coping.

PHOTO PRINTS ONLY: Will have a white border so the full frame photo can be matted without losing any of the photo. ( e.g. 10x15 prints on 11x17 paper, 12x18 will be on 13x19 paper)

MATTED PRINTS /eq: 10X15 PRINT Comes in a 16X20 MAT with foam board backing and in a clear sleeve

ABOUT PREMIUM CANVAS PRINTS
Hand-stretched canvas on a real wood frame
Solid Front to Prevent Future Slipping
Solid Back with Hangers
High-resolution photo printing in vivid colors
UV-resistant inks, totally free of solvents
Canvas certified for professional photo printing
Artist Grade Canvas | Patented Design | 1.25” Depth | Size Range 5x7" to 40x60"
Finished Backing | Corner Bumpers | Metal Screw Fasteners | Ships in Four Business Days